Improved steam fetroijium-gas generating-apparatus



v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. R. M, WHIPPLE 8: A. I. AMBLERf STEAM PETROLEUM GAS GENBRATING APPARATUS.

Patented July 13, 18 69.

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ILLINOIS.

Letters Patent No. 92,687, dated July 13, 1869.

IMPROVED STEAM P ETROLEUM G-AS GENERATING-APPARATUS.

The Schedule referred to'in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

' To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, RODNEY M. WHIPPLE and Avous'rm I. 'AMBLER, of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook, and State of- Illinois, haveinvented a new and improved inode. manufacturing or of generatiug gasfror'n petroleum, which we narne Whipple and Amblers Steam Petr-oleum-Gas-Generating Apparatus; the same beinga new and useful machine for the purpose aforesaid; and we do hereby. declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a parztr of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents an elevation of the invention, showing external of gas-generator and receiver, and their connections.

Figure? represents a sectional view of generator, receiver, fire-box, gas-burners, and connections, taken in line of centre.

Figure 3 represents a plan or top view of the cap on top of piston-rod, with weights.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate corresponding parts. The nature of our invention consists in practically bringing to bear steam-heat and steam-pressure upon crude petroleum, and straining the same so as to produce therefrom a suitably-rarefied gas for all the purposes of heat and light. I

We are aware that many efforts have been made to produce these results by means of forcing air through petroleum, and in various ways, by enriching air thereby; but the results produced'were only enriched air or adulterated gas, and not the pure, rich gas of the petroleum.

That petroleum is capable of producing a. rarefied and rich. gas, of intense heat and light, suitable for heating and illuminating purposes, is well known,

and that it contains a large percentage of pure carhon, which, if fully and practically utilized, would furnish light .and heat sulficient to illuminate the cities and run the machinery of the world.

It is the object of this invention to utilize this carban, and produce the greatest amount of heat and light possible that can be obtained therofiom.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use our invention, we will proceed to describe its construction and mode of operation.

Our generator is constructed witha dome-top, and a steam-space or lcg'roun'd the inner part of the cylinder.

In the dome and upper part of the inside of the cylinder'we place perforated plates, at proper distances apart, between which we put sponges or other suitable porous material, and gravel or sawdust, as shown in the drawings.

\Ve also place upon the top of each pcribratcd plate,

and at the top of the dome, a suitable wire not ting. I

The objectof all of which is to properly strain and purify the gas, and to prevent thepctrolcum from escaping under pressure into the pipes, and thus saturating the gas.

Within this generator or cylinder wc fit, steamtight, 3) suitable follower or steam piston-head, so-called, to press up the petroleum by means of the steam which enters at the bottom, through the steampipe, Ifronr the boiler.

To this generator, and from the top, we connect, by means of a suitable gas-pipe, a rcceiverynt the bottom, as shown at Gand G.

This receiver is a c lind'er havin a follower or piston-head, and rod; the rod passing out at the top to a bearing-head or cap, having guides at cacl end.

Upon this cap we place any given weight that may be required to give force and head to'the gas. I

We also mark the sides of the guides, to indicate the exact amount of gas in the receiver.

This rod, being connected with the follower within the cylinder, shows at all times .the exact amount of gas in the receiver, and the force the amount of weight required.

From this receiver there runs a suitable main-stem pipe to the fire-box of the engine or locomotive, where I the gas may be divided into asmauy stems as the dcmaudrequires.

The drawings show, it will be noticed, a jet or burner at and for each flue, and several for the crownsheet. The flame of these jets, and the heat, accordingly,- may be readily governed by the engineer or operator, by means of a stop-cook, which should be always within his easy reach.

In. the main stem, and betwcenthe receiver and the fire-box, we place a self-acting valve, so constructed as to close in case of thereturn of gas toward the receiver, from any cause, so as to exclude the possi-- bility of danger from returning gas on fire.

The description, by letters, is as follows: A represents the inside of the cylinder of the generater.

B, the steam-space. O, the piston-head or follower, to compress the petroleum, by means of the steam which enters the cylinder through the pipe I and below the pistonv head.

D is the dome or top of the generator.

D shows the sponges in'thc dome, for straining the gas.

I)" shows the. cap of the water or steam-space at the base of the dome; the same to be fitted steam-tight over the top of the steam-space, .as shown.

E shows the several compartments or spaces be-.

tween the perforated plates.

E shows an air-chamber between the upper plates and the space thereof.

We place sponges, gravel, sand, and such other porous material and substances as may be required 7 for the purpose'of straining the petroleum from the gas to rarefy and purify the same.

gas.

I is the steam-pipe, admitting the steam into the cylinder below the follower O.

I is a branch steam-pipe, admitting the steam into the steam-space around the cylinder containing the petroleum, for the purpose of heating the same.

J is the blow-ofl pipefor the cylinder; and a sui able pipe should be used for the steam-space for the same purpose.

K is the receiver for holding the supplyof gas.

K is the blow-ofi pipe of the receiver. j

To this receiver there should be attached a suitable safety-valve, torelieve the gas at any given pressure desired.

M is the cap of the receiver, which must be fitted on steam-tight, having standards cast on the same, with suitable guides to steady the piston-rod and the weights upon the top of the same.

' N is the standards, with guides for steadying the piston-rod.

O, the piston-rod.

P is the cap on top of piston-rod, having at each end a groove to fit the tongues or guides in the standards N to steady the red, as aforesaid, and for such weight or weights as may be necessary to secure the pressure required.

P shows the weights on the cap N.

Q shows the fire-cox.

Q, the air-jets, having a sliding cover, which may be moved at pleasure, so as to admit the quantity of air necessary for the proper burning or consumption of the gas to generate the heat'required.

B. shows the main stem of the pipe, with branches to conduct the gas into the fire-box, and to the proper 'location or position therein for burning.

R is the flues of the boiler.

S shows the self-acting valve for shutting-off the return gas.

This may be ,a common clapper-valve.

The current of gas flowing out to the burners'will open the same, and the return of the current will close it.

S shows a stop-cock, by which means the flow of gas to the burners is opened, regulated, and shut on".

This cock should be placed within easy reach of the engineer or operator.

With this description, and by the aid of the drawings, the mechanic will readily understand the same, and be enabled to constructand use the apparatus.

In the compartments between the perforated plates in the generator, we state that we place in the lower one sponges, or other suitable porous material or substances, in the next, gravel and sand, in

the next,sponge, and the next we leave' as an airchamber, above whichwe place the sponges in the dome.

This combination of sponges, gravel, sand, and sponges with the perforated plates and wire netting, we apprehend will satisfactorily purify, rarefy, and

strain the gas, so as to render it available for both heat and light.

The generator'beiug suppliedwith petroleum by means. of the feed-pipe, the steam. is let into the steam-space by means of the pipe and stop-cock communicating with the boiler; and as soon as the petroleum is sufficiently hot, which will be in a few minutes,'to begin to generate the gas, steam-pressure is let onto the follower at I, by means of the stopcock and pipe; and the follower .is forced up against,

the petroleum, its globules are compressed, and the gas escapes up and through the perforated plates,

netting, gravel, and sponge or porous substances referred-to.

This combination of perforated plates, wire netting, gravel, sand, and "sponges with the air-chamber, as shown, is intended tostraiu and purify the gas in passing from the generator to the receiver; and from the results already attained, this desideratum has been fully accomplished to a 'practicaland successful extent.

This steam-pressure. at the bottom of the petro-- leum forces up the follower with-such force. as to separate the gas and cause it to .seek an outlet through the pipe into the receiver, and with such head as to drive or force up the follower in the receiver to the top, when the gas is ready for use.

This receiver should always be kept full, or at least well supplied, so that fire and steam may be always ready for. use, without auxiliary means,to supply the steam-heat and pressure to run the apparatus successfully after the first application.

Any suitable gauge may be used to indicate the pressure, if desired.

The stop-cocks and valves should be placed so as to be within easy reach of the engineer or runner, and perfectly under his control.

The heat and light from this gas may be applied to the heating and lighting trains of cars, by means of suitable pipes and flexible connections between the cars composing the. train, and for the head-light to the engine.

Each partshould be so constructed as to shut off all connection with all other parts, either by accident or-design,'in case of the disconnection of or disaster to the train.

It will be seen that no fire is brought in contact with this apparatus, or any partthereof, and hence there is no danger to be apprehended from its use.

This apparatus can be placed upon a tender or water-tank of a locomotive, and gas be generated as fast as nsed, thus doing away with the enormous expense of coal and wood, and furnishing a cheaper and better fuel, as it has been estimated by the most learned and profound chemists that the heat contained in one barrel of petroleum is equal to thirty tons of coal.

But, estimating it at fifteen, the saving would be enormous and the advantages commensurate.

purpose set forth.

structed substantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.-

4. The receiver K, the followerand rod, with the weights and guides, when used-in combination with a gas generator, substantially as shown, and for the RODNEY M. WHIPPLE. AUGUSTIN I. AMBLER.

Witnesses W. R. AMBLER,

WARRIOK MARTIN.- 

